Society

Hasidim in Uman celebrate Rabbi Nachman’s birthday: prayers, dancing and birthday cake

Uman celebrates the 253rd birthday of the founder of Bratslav Hasidism, Tzaddik Rabbi Nachman. About 2,000 pilgrims from all over the world came to the celebration this year. They came with prayers, hopes, and faith in the fulfillment of their desires, because Rabbi Nachman bequeathed that whoever visits his grave on this day will certainly receive a spiritual gift. About [Kommersant] this was reported by the executive director of the Historical and Cultural Center of Uman, Iryna Rybnytska.

Rabbi Nachman’s birthday: meaning and traditions

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav was born in 1772 in Medzhybizh, but his life and work are closely connected with Uman, where he died and was buried in 1810. The tzaddik left behind a profound spiritual legacy, including teachings about joy, faith, and connection to God even in the most difficult times. For the Hasidim of Bratslav, Nachman’s birthday is not just a date, but a special occasion to gather at his grave to feel the “majestic light,” as the pilgrims put it. They believe that being in Uman on this day brings blessings, inspiration, and spiritual renewal.

The celebration of Rabbi Nachman’s birthday in Uman has been a tradition since the lifetime of his followers. Although the largest Hasidic pilgrimage falls on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), the spring holiday is also of great importance.

As one of the pilgrims, Rabbi Eli Heshen, noted in a commentary Komersant ukrainskyi:

“People feel that on the day he was born, there is a majestic light that gives joy and inspiration.”

Traditions of the celebration: prayers, singing, and a birthday cake

This year’s celebration is filled with traditions: pilgrims read prayers that Nachman believed to be the way to purify the soul. Singing, dancing, and joyful hugs accompany the prayers, reflecting the tzaddik’s teachings on the power of positivity.

“Hasidim gather at the tzaddik’s grave, read holy books, sing and dance. Everyone asks their spiritual guide for the most important thing. Some want health, others want children, and still others want financial well-being. It is known that whatever one asks for on this day is what one receives,” said Iryna Rybnytska.

One of the main traditions of the celebration is baking a huge three-meter-long cake. It is decorated with excerpts from the Torah, and the main wish this year is for Ukraine’s victory.

Pilgrims are not afraid of war and believe in the Armed Forces

Head of the Rabbi Nachman International Charitable Foundation Nathan Ben Noon in a commentary Komersant ukrainskyi said that about 2 thousand pilgrims came to Uman to celebrate.

“About 2,000 Hasidic pilgrims came to celebrate Rabbi Nachman’s birthday. These are people from Israel, the United States, and Europe – all of them came to pray at the grave of Rabbi Nachman and ask for the end of the war and peace in Ukraine,” he said.

Iryna Rybnytska added:

“This is quite a large number, given the situation in the country. They are well informed about the war, but they are not afraid. They believe in the power of prayer, in the protection of God and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Celebrations under control: security in Uman

As every year, law enforcement and the migration service will be monitoring law and order in Uman during the arrival of the Hasidim. The police are already ensuring public safety in the area of the Hasidic pilgrimage.

The Migration Service, in turn, monitors compliance with visa rules, as there are citizens of many countries among the pilgrims.

As in previous years, all pilgrims are obliged to comply with martial law restrictions, including curfews. In 2025, these measures will be maintained to ensure the safety of both visitors and locals.